TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)

TMJ is a condition that affects various people. Its common symptoms include varying degree of joint pain, headaches, an intermittent ringing in the ears, and grinding teeth. Lots of people suffering from TMJ do not know that its root cause can be treated effectively by the dentist.

TMJ has debilitating symptoms and can significantly interfere with normal life. The comfort of the patient is the priority of the dental practice, so pain relief is the first recommendation by the dentist. The dentist can diagnose and come up with an immediate treatment plan to deal with the root causes of the disorder.

Reasons for treating TMJ

People with TMJ disorder have reported that their symptoms get worse during the periods of unexpected or prolonged stress and this intense outbreak often result in dizziness and neck pain.

Misalignment of the teeth or “bad bite” tends to be the most common cause of TMJ. The dentist can readjust or realign the teeth without the patient needing to undergo expensive or painful surgeries. The adjustment or realignment will help alleviate the dizziness, jaw pain, and the pounding headaches.

The grinding teeth symptom is a common symptom that usually occurs at night. Eventually, the grinding will erode the teeth’s structure and later result in some serious dental issues. When TMJ is left untreated, it can be a major cause of loose teeth or eroded jawbones.

Anyone with TMJ symptoms should consult the dentist for an exact diagnosis.

What does treating TMJ involve?

TMJ could have several causes. Bad bite is one of the common causes, but it can also be caused a blow to the meniscus cartilage. First, the dentist will conduct a detailed examination of the patient’s bite, jaw area. He will also take x-rays and review the history of the patient in order to carry out a proper diagnosis and choose the appropriate treatment.

Once the correct diagnosis is made, relief can be provided in several ways. Teeth grinding at night can be alleviated through the use of a specially molded bite guide. The dentist may recommend a bite relationship analysis. The dentist may also offer advice on a range of relaxation techniques which could help reduce the effect of stress. The dentist can also prescribe muscle relaxants as the last resort.

A much better option would be “realignment.” Which means getting rid of bad bite and changing the shape of the teeth. This is really helpful as it alleviates the symptoms of TMJ and may improve the teeth’s appearance also. Realignment has to with making changes to the way the lower teeth come together with the upper teeth. Natural teeth adjustments or/and new restorations may be required in this case. The procedure has a high success rate and it is painless. The dentist will be more than happy to attend to questions and inquiries regarding any procedure.

If you have any TMJ symptoms, we advise that you get in touch with our office to schedule an appointment.

The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment